Summary of Contents for Optimus MD-1200

We recommend you write your MD- 1200’s serial number here. The number is on the bottom of the MD-1200. Serial Number _________________ Optimus and RadioShack are registered trademarks used by Tandy Corporation. THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW This keyboard complies with the limits for a Class B digital device as specified in Part 15 of FCC Rules .

24 notes at the same time, so you can play or create al- most any type of music. Memory — lets you set the MD-1200 to record up to 2 songs, 6 tracks, and 5,200 notes. The recording remains stored even while the keyboard is off.

MIDI data received from another MIDI device. Automatic Intro/Ending Rhythm — lets you set the MD-1200 to automatical- ly add a 3- to 8-measure introduction or 3- to 8-measure ending to the selected auto-rhythm.

(+ and –) marked beside the com- partment. 3. Replace the cover. If the MD-1200 sounds weak or does not work properly, replace all six batteries. Warning: Dispose of old batteries promptly and properly. Do not burn or bury them.

Important: To prevent hearing dam- age, always set the MD-1200’s vol- ume to before you turn it on. 2. To turn on the MD-1200, press . The POWER indicator POWER lights and the display turns on. Note: To save power, the keyboard automatically turns off after about 6 minutes if you do not press a key.

– • The names of tone numbers 000– 127 are marked to the right of the MD-1200’s display. The names tone numbers appear in the table below. Mem- locations 168–199 reserved for custom tones that you create (see “Using the Cus-...

42-4041.fm Page 13 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM REVERB USING THE DRUM PADS The MD-1200 has six drum pads that you can use to play percussion sounds independent of the keyboard keys. Sim- ply tap on a drum pad to play the per- cussion sound currently assigned to it.

• When you turn on SPLIT, the last selected settings appear. USING LAYER The MD-1200 lets you set the keyboard to play two different preset tones at the same time, creating a “layered effect” when you press one key.

The name and two-digit number of each preset auto-rhythm is to turn it marked to the left of the MD-1200’s dis- play. You can play a preset auto-rhythm on the MD-1200 in any of these ways: indicator •...

Steps 1 and 2. To stop the auto-rhythm, press STOP Using SYNCHRO The MD-1200’s SYNCHRO feature lets you synchronize the start of an auto- rhythm with the beginning of your music. After you select and enter an auto- rhythm, press SYNCHRO/ENDING begin playing the keyboard.

The 18 keys on the left side of the key- board with note labels above them are called accompaniment keys . You can set the MD-1200 to play three different types of auto accompaniment. Concert Chord — lets you play chords on the accompaniment keys using chord formations of from one to four notes.

42-4041.fm Page 19 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Concert Chord The concert chord method lets begin- ning keyboard players easily select and play a chord. The number of accompaniment keys you press determines the type of chord that plays. This table shows the type of chord that plays when you press one, two, three, or four accompaniment keys at the same time.

The standard fingering method uses standard formations of three or four notes, and lets the experienced musician play a wider variety of accompaniment chords. You can play these 15 chord types on your MD-1200, in any key, using the standard fin- gering method.

While the easy random and standard fin- gering methods limit chord formations to the accompaniment keys, the full-range chord method lets you play chords of any type using any of the MD-1200’s keys. MODE FULL RANGE CHORD follow the steps under “Standard Finger- ing.”...

SYNCHRO/ENDING USING THE MIXER The MD-1200 plays multiple parts at the same time during auto accompaniment, or memory playback, or when receiving MIDI data, in up to 16 separate chan- nels. You can control the on/off setting,...

Channel 1 and the drum pads are assigned to Channel 10. When you use auto accompaniment, each part is assigned to Channels 7–10. • When you use the MD-1200 as the sound source for another MIDI device, all 16 channels are assigned musical instrument parts (Channel 10 is reserved for drum parts only, per MIDI standard).

MIXER CURSOR USING THE CUSTOM TONE SYNTHESIZER The MD-1200’s custom tone synthesizer lets you create up to 32 of your own original tones. To create a “user” tone, you simply select one of the keyboard’s 200 preset tones, change its parame- ters, then store the new tone in any memory location from 168–199.

2DCO Tones A Digital Controlled Oscillator (DCO) controls the sound output of a digital sig- nal. Some of the MD-1200’s built-in tones are simple tones (1DCO), and some are layered tones (2DCO). When you select a 2DCO tone as the basis for creating a user tone, you need to change the parameters of both tones.

42-4041.fm Page 27 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Touch Sensitivity ( TchSense (–64 to +63) — Controls changes in the volume of the tone depending on how hard you strike the keys. You can specify more volume for stronger striking and less volume for lighter striking, or you can specify 00 to set the same volume regardless of how hard you strike the keys.

42-4041.fm Page 28 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Hints on Creating a User Tone • Use a preset tone that is similar to the one you are trying to create. When you already have a general idea of the tone you are trying to create, it is a good idea to start with a similar preset tone.

Back from Memory” on Page 34) and auto accompaniment. TUNING THE KEYBOARD appears Although your MD-1200 never goes out of tune, it does let you adjust its pitch to match other instruments or musical re- cordings. Note: You cannot adjust the keyboard’s pitch while the demonstration songs are playing.

To have the keyboard not automatically turn off during a session, turn the key- board on while holding down The next time you turn the MD-1200 off then back on again, it automatically turns off after about 6 minutes. USING PITCH BEND PITCH BEND lets you bend a note by al- tering its pitch.

To connect a sustain pedal to your MD- 1200, insert the plug on the pedal’s cord into ASSIGNABLE JACK the keyboard. You can adjust the MD-1200’s assign- able jack to these settings when you use a sustain pedal. Setting (Sustain)

42-4041.fm Page 32 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM USING THE MEMORY The MD-1200 lets you record up to two separate songs in memory for later play- back. You can use either of two meth- ods to record a song — real-time...

42-4041.fm Page 33 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM • Pressing FREE SESSION recording with free accompaniment turns off the accom- paniment; however, the keyboard continues playing the last chord played before FREE SESSION was turned off. You can change the chord by specifying a different one using the appropriate method (Fin- gered, Concert Chord, etc.) as...

42-4041.fm Page 34 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Note: Press after you select Track 1 in Step 3 to use the drum pads. That way, you can also start recording by playing a drum pad. This data is stored on Track 1 along with the the notes you played: •...

42-4041.fm Page 35 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM • You can set the volume and pan position of the playback tracks using the mixer. This setting data is output through MIDI OUT • The entire keyboard functions as a melody keyboard during playback, regardless of the setting.

42-4041.fm Page 37 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Correcting Mistakes Before finishing your step recording en- try, you can move the entry point back to correct the data you entered. However, this operation deletes all data after the point where you make corrections. 1.

42-4041.fm Page 39 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Changing the Navigation Track After you record, the display shows the contents of the last recorded or edited track. To display a different track, re- peatedly press TRANSPOSE/TUNE/MIDI until appears, then press Bend appears.

MAKING THE MIDI CONNECTIONS Your MD-1200 has MIDI OUT minals. To connect your MD-1200 to an- other MIDI-equipped device, you must use a MIDI cable, available at your local RadioShack store. MIDI OUT MIDI IN...

Note: You do not need to make both connections if you are only either send- ing or receiving. MIDI DATA Your MD-1200 can send and receive several different types of MIDI data. The MD-1200’s tones, rhythms, and other types of MIDI data are sent automatical- ly as you play.

Other messages affect only the current MIDI channel. CHANGING MIDI SETTINGS The MD-1200 lets you change a number of MIDI parameters, including turning General MIDI mode on/off and selecting a MIDI channel. Follow these steps to change MIDI pa- rameters.

DUMPING/IMPORTING off, DATA The MD-1200’s internal data, including data recorded to memory and synthesiz- er data, can be sent and received in bulk as MIDI exclusive data through the MIDI terminals. Thus, you can use a comput- er or other MIDI device as an external storage device.

The “MIDI Implementation Chart” on Page 58 illustrates the details of the MD- 1200’s MIDI function. An O in the chart means that the MD-1200 has this fea- ture; X means it does not have this fea- ture. This section explains what the MD- 1200 can do.

All Notes Off — This feature is a kind of panic button: it stops the sounds cur- rently playing. The MD-1200 only re- ceives this message. Active Sensing — This means the MD- 1200’s sound turns off in the event the...

42-4041.fm Page 48 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM TROUBLESHOOTING If the MD-1200 is not performing as it should, these suggestions might help. If you still cannot solve the problem, take the keyboard to your local RadioShack store for assis- tance.

MD-1200. Modifying or tampering with the MD-1200’s internal components can cause a mal- function and might invalidate its warranty. If your MD-1200 is not performing as it should, take it to your local RadioShack store for assistance.

42-4041.fm Page 60 Tuesday, August 3, 1999 6:56 AM Limited One-Year Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workman- ship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.